Skylar entered Thalia's room. Everyone else was going to the central plaza to watch the sorceress's execution, but she didn't feel like it was worth her time. She wanted to spend every remaining spare moment with her daughter. Especially now, it was inevitable that they would have to go to the Blighted Lands soon.

She was startled when she saw a furry and feathered creature lying on the bed next to Thalia. The pup gryphon looked up at her with golden eyes, and her tail swished twice in acknowledgement.

"You are just as worried as I am, aren't you?" she said and patted the creature's silver feathered head gently. Breeze was still young. She was born no longer than two years ago, so she was a bit clumsy and looked odd as if her proportions were off. She could fly already, just not for far distances. Thalia bonded with little gryphon right away, and they have been best friends ever since.

Breeze made a low shrieking sound, expressing her sadness and concern.

"I know. It's heartbreaking," Skylar whispered, looking back at Thalia.

The girl looked thinner after just a few days. The bones seemed to stick out from the narrow wrists, and her chubby face started to sink in. Skylar stifled a sob and stroked the pale cheek gently.

"I'll make it all better soon, I promise."

They just sat there in silence. The only sound was slow and quiet breathing. Skylar didn't know how much time had passed when Gawyn slid silently into the room.

"Is it done?" Skylar asked, not taking her eyes off Thalia.

"Yes. I'm guessing no change here?" Skylar shook her head slowly. "Well, we knew that would be too easy." He sighed and sat on the floor next to the bed, stroking Thalia's hand gently. "She looks so frail now."

"Do you think it's wise leaving her here alone?" Skylar asked, her voice shaking.

"She's not alone," Gawyn replied calmly. "Zachariah and Madam Constance will provide everything she needs. And Breeze will make sure she is safe and sound, won't you, Pup?" He scratched the gryphon under her beak, and she shrieked happily, swishing her tail rapidly. Gawyn looked back at Skylar. "But if you'd rather stay here, it's all right."

Skylar scoffed. "And let you go alone to the Blighted Lands? You're going to die a dreadful death without me before an hour is up. You are a horrible scout."

"I'm not that bad," he protested. The reality was too suffocating right now and laughing seemed out of place. They tried to get back to their usual bickering, but none of them had the heart to do it.

"When can we move out?" Skylar asked after a moment.

"Tomorrow at dawn. The special unit of Winged Cavalry is here already. I need to leave all the military matters in order, and we are free to go."

Skylar squeezed a little, cold hand. "Let's get it over with quickly."

***

Skylar walked towards the main doors of Evergreen, checking for the hundredth time if all her weapons were secured in their places. She wore a perfectly fitted chainmail that was quite heavy but still flexible enough not to constrict any movements, especially in fights. And Skylar expected a lot of that as soon as they would cross the border.

She pushed the heavy doors and went outside. Zephyr shrieked enthusiastically at her sight. Breeze was jumping excitedly around her dad, trying to nibble at his beautiful feathers, but he just nudged her with his huge beak, and she fell on her back with a panicked cry. Whenever Sky looked at those two, her heart always melted. But now, a thousand needles were piercing right through her soul when her thoughts returned to Thalia, still lying lifelessly in her bed.

Gawyn secured the last of the sacks with provision to Zephyr's back and looked up at her. "Are you ready?"

She nodded absentmindedly. Gawyn seemed so different without his smart army uniform. Instead, like her, he was clad in chain mail over simple and practical clothing. His sword hung at his belt, and she also spotted several smaller blades tucked safely on his person.

He came up to her and squeezed her hand gently as they turned to face the servants. The small group of people observed them with a mixture of worry and admiration. Zachariah, very advanced in age already, still stood straight as an arrow, overseeing the whole staff. Some things never changed.

"My lord, my lady." He bowed deeply before them. "I wish you luck in your journey. Stay safe and come back to us quickly. I promise that your home will always wait for you no matter how long it will take."

Skylar tried to suppress her emotions, but she failed. The feeling of dread overcame her. She was not ready to part with all those people who, over the years, became her family. All this felt far too much like a farewell. A sob escaped her mouth, and she wrapped a surprised old man in a tight hug.

"It's all right, my lady." He patted her back gently. "We all believe in you. Go and do your best. You don't have to worry about a thing. We'll keep Thalia safe and sound."

"I know," she sobbed. "And thank you. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my daughter." She finally pulled back and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Keep her safe."

"I will, my lady." Zachariah put a hand on his heart and bowed his head.

"You can rest assured that no harm will come to your daughter while we around," added Madam Constance. The resolute old lady was a picture of perfect determination. Skylar only nodded and squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Let's go," she said to Gawyn and turned on her heel to hop on Zephyr. She was sure that she would break down if she had to say one more goodbye.

Gawyn put a hand on his servant's shoulder. "I'll leave the estate and my daughter in your care. There is no doubt in my mind that you take good care of her. If anything unexpected happens, feel free to contact the Queen directly."

"Yes, my lord." Zachariah bowed once again. "May the fortune always be with you."

"May it be with all of us. Gods know we need all the luck we can get right now," Gawyn said quietly. He nodded again and joined Skylar on Zephyr's back.

The gryphon roared so loudly that the leaves on nearby trees and bushes shook. All his muscles tensed, and he jumped high into the air, his massive wings beating fast, taking them up in seconds. Skylar wrapped her arms tight around Gawyn's and pressed her face to his back, letting her tears flow freely now.

***

When they flew over the Eaglepoint, Skylar noticed the city looked emptier than usual. She still could see many people, just not as many as she expected. It was customary that even during early mornings, the streets, especially those around the main market, were bustling with activity.

Now, there was a new hub of activity – the Care Houses. Besides the main one, the Queen ordered the opening of a couple of new places in different parts of the city to take the pressure on the central unit. Skylar could see that around all those newfound houses, the people were running to and fro, often carrying or dragging unconscious people.

The sickness was spreading, just as the sorceress said. The worst part was no one knew how exactly that happened. It seemed to be targeting people on a completely random basis, both young and old. People started to feel panicky already. Skylar didn't want to think what would happen if they could not stop it soon.

They reached the palace, and Zephyr was circling the central courtyard, looking down for the best place to land. The square was crawling with people and winged horses. The animals were still nervous around the gryphons, although the joined training caused promising improvements. Although, with only two fully grown creatures, it was hard to get all the soldiers adequately trained.

Zephyr shrieked triumphantly and dived down at breath-taking speed. Even though Skylar was used to it by now, she couldn't help her heart racing and dread filling her body while they plummeted towards the ground. But before they reached the courtyard, Zephyr beat his enormous wings a few times to lose the momentum and landed gracefully and light as a feather. The horses neighed nervously, and he screeched proudly, announcing his arrival.

"That's enough of showing off, buddy," Gawyn said, scratching gryphon's neck and hopping down.

Aliyah was already waiting for them, with Todric at her side. He talked to a slender man in silver armour with a feathered helmet on his head who looked unassuming, but the longbow on his back seemed vicious.

"I assume all is well, and you are ready to depart?" the Queen asked instead of a greeting. She, just like her brother, did not like to waste time, especially when there was so much to do.

"Well, it is a bit too optimistic assumption, but yes, we are ready," Gawyn said.

"Todric, please go on with your unit's introduction." Aliyah nodded to the other man.

"Of course, Your Highness. Lord General, Colonel." He nodded to Gawyn and Skylar. "Let me introduce you to Major Wilmot Shah, the commander for the elite unit of Winged Cavalry."

The slender man saluted while Todric continued. "I send with you my most experienced and trusted people, Lord General. I wish I could do more, but I understand that your mission demands a certain degree of subtility."

"We are thankful for your assistance, my lord," Gawyn replied with a nod. "I'd like to say that we'll bring your soldiers back to you, but we both know that would be an empty promise. We have no idea what we will have to face in the Blighted Lands."

"Unfortunately." Todric sighed. "I'll pray to all the gods to grant you good fortune in your mission."

"Prayers are great, but let's not depend on divine intervention," Skylar said and handed a small sack to Major Shah. "Here are protection charms for you and your people. Wear them always if you value your life and sanity. It will protect you from some unpleasant dark magic effects."

The man bowed curtly, taking the bag. "Thank you, Colonel. I'll make sure every soldier is aware of it."

The silence fell, and they looked idly as the cavalry soldiers were fastening the charms to their armours.

"There's not much left to be said, I'm afraid," Aliyah said quietly. "Stay safe, brother dear."

"You too," Gawyn said and did something so unexpected, Skylar gasped. He embraced his sister and kissed her forehead. It was such an incredible show of affection that even Aliyah seemed shocked. Skylar's heart clenched. For some reason, the situation had a sense of finality, and they all sensed it, even though no one said it aloud. "Do not trust anyone except your most trusted guards. And most certainly don't trust the nobles. They will try to get you the moment we leave."

"Oh, let them try. I'm ready for them," Aliyah said with a grin, though her eyes gleamed with unshed tears.

After a few more minutes, everybody was ready to move out, and there was no reason to delay any longer. Skylar pressed herself tight to Gawyn's back when they shot up into the air, followed by the graceful line of beautiful white horses.

"Let's go. Take us over the eastern border, buddy," Gawyn said, patting Zephyr's side. "Take us to the Blighted Lands."